Bishop Sklba will Celebrate Mass for the Winter Solstice at Congregation of the Great Spirit, December 19, 2009 10:00 a.m.

Creative and Liberating Liturgies Workshop Facilitated by Victoria Rue, Ph.D. "Learning Goals: ... To offer theatre skills that can be utilized in creative and liberating liturgies such as characterization, improvisation, monologue writing." Today, you missed it. (via Modern Commentaries)

Catholic Charities executive director resigns, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Catholic Charities has struggled financially over the past decade, losing nearly $1.8 million, posting annual deficits between 2000 and 2005, according to its federal 990s." The executive director was the uncommunicative Hannah Dugan.

Season for tzedakah giving, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The [7 foot] Bayshore Menorah will be lighted, as part of a Hanukkah celebration, at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, after a parade of 80 vehicles with rooftop menorahs through downtown and the North Shore."

Senate abortion vote called 'grave mistake', by Nancy Frazier O'Brien, Catholic News Service. "'Even our opponents claim they do not support federal funding for elective abortions and they want current restrictions to apply,' he [Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities] said. 'The way to settle this often misleading debate is simply, clearly and explicitly to apply Hyde restrictions to all the federal funds in this legislation.'"

Stritch president submits resignation, Milwaukee Catholic Herald staff. “In the past year, I have had to make many difficult decisions, so typical of a major transition during very tough economic times ... there are different leaders for different times, and the time is right for new leadership.” In this case, the different time is since last year.

Vocalist at Sacred Heart, Dec. 17, by Milwaukee Catholic Herald staff. Tatiana, at Sacred Heart Church in West Milwaukee.

Head of archdiocese schools faces drunken driving charge, by Crocker Stephenson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He said he was returning from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting."

Racine minister elected new ELCA bishop, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "'I've had the privilege of going into a lot of churches as an assistant to the bishop,' he [Rev. Jeff Barrow] said, 'and I see a lot more life than I do death.'"

Prayer with an Infallible Guarantee, by Ron Rolheiser, OMI. Paradox: How we fulfill Christ's promise to us to answers our prayers. Literary reference: C.S. Lewis. (via Milwaukee Catholic Herald)